Electric train-line switch



Aug. A30, 1927. 1,641,071

C. C. FARMER Y ELECTRIC TRAIN LINE SWITCH Filed March 19. 1924 INVENTOR CLYDECJTARMER ATTORNEY v with an operating lever 5 and connected toy Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNrrEn STATES rATsn'r lcritics.

CLYDE C. FARMER, OF PTTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANAAASSGNOR TO THE WESTING- HGUSE AIR BRAKE COMPANY, 0F VLEIEEBNG, EENNSYLVANIA, A CORYORATION VOF YENNSYLVANIA.

Applcatonled March y19, 1924. Serial No. 700,212.

rlfhis invention relates to a switch mechanism for controlling electric train line oircuits in electric train service.

rlhe principal object of my invention is to provide an improved switch mechanism of the above character.

In the accompanying drawing; Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view Vof a train line con-l trolling switch apparatus embodying my in-v vent-ion; Fig. 2 a plan view ofthe pneumatic switch mechanism shown in Fig. 1. with the cover plate removed; Fig. 3a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4L a diagram illustrating ther circuit connections to the pneumatically operated switch.

lt has heretofore been proposed to employ a manually operated switch mechanism for controllingthe electric train line circuits on a car, when the circuits are connected between cars by the operation of ari-automatic train line coupler7 in order that the `circuits may be opened before the cars are separated, so as to prevent arcing at the contacts associated with the automatic coupler. TWith the above arrangement, if current is taken switch mechanism is provided for control-A ling the bus line circuits and adapted to be operated simultaneously with the switch mechanism `for controlling the other train line circuits.

As shown in Fig. V1, the reference numeral 1 indicates a. switch mechanism for controlling the ordinary electrictrain line circuits and 2 the additional switch mechanism for controlling the bus line circuits.

The switch mechanism 1 may comprise a casing containing a rotatable switch member 3 adapted to be operated for controlling the opening and closing of a plurality of train line circuit-s connected to contact fingers d. The switch member 8 is provided the opposite ends of said lever are rods 6 by which the-member 3 maybe manually operated at opposite sides of the car. L

The additional switch mechanism 2 may comprise a casing in which is mounted a switch drum shaft 7. Mounted on the shaft 7 is a drum Contact member having Contact segments 8 and 9 and adapted to engage the segment 8 are pairs of Contact lingers 10 and 11. The contact segment Qis of greater eX- tent than the segment 8 and adapted to enthe segment 9 is a contact finger' `12.`

rlhe contact segments above referred to may control the main trolley circuit and in addition a switch segment 18 may be carried by the shaft 7 for controlling a bus line circuit, such as the circuit for `supplying` current tothe compressormotors. Adapted to engage the segment 13 is a pair of contact fingers 14. i

A cylinder 15 is formed in the casing of the switch mechanism 2 'and mounted in said cylinder isl a piston 16 having a piston stem 17. The outer end of the stem 17 extends into a spring chamber 18 containing a coil spring 19. ySaid spring engages a member 9.0 secured to the stem 17 and tends to move the stem towardr the left. Y

An arm 21 is applied to the squared end of shaft 7 and said arm is forked to engage overa flattened section of the stem 17. pin 22 extends out from opposite sides of the flattened portion of the stem and engages in slots 23 in the arm 21.

yThe supply of fluid under pressure for operating piston 16 is controlled byV a valve 2d having an operating arm 25 `which is connected to a rod QGfadapted to be operated by the movement of the lever 5. The valve 2d controls communication from a fluid pressure supply pipe 27 to a pipe 28 and controlling communication v from pipe 28 to piston 16 is a valve piston 29 which is subject to the pressure of a spring 30. Y

In operation after cars are coupled up, one of the rods 6 extending to the side of the car isoperat-edso as to shift the switch member 3 from the cut-out position shown in Fig. 1 to the cut-in position in which the several train line circuits are closed throughA the contact fingers 4. The movement of the lever 5 to effect the rotation of the switch member 3 also effects the movement of the valve Q4 to a position in which port 31 connects supply ppe with pip X3. TWhen the pressure in pipe 28 has heen raised to a predetermined degree` the telve pieton 2t) vrill he lii'ted from its lower sont, to establish communication from pipe 28 to piston 1G, und es is thev vulve piston littS from its Scart, i ill aree oit seid valve piston is exposed i, ud pressure, so that the valve piston Will he Quickly moved to its upper seat. Fluid i Vilied to piston 16 operates to shift sinne .e right, .eo that the pin Q2 is shifted to the :irin 2l lind the druin Shaft 7.

. Contact Segmente 8, 9, und 13 ere thus' rotated to cloee the main and the con'ipressor husa line circuits through the contact fingere4 10. ll, and lli.

lhen cure are to be uncoupled, one of the rode` 6 is operated to rotate the switch men:- her 3 'to ite cut-out petition` 21S shown in F l und ut the saine time, the. vulve 211 operated through the rod 26 :ind erin 25 to eut ott communication 'from supply pipe 52'? to pipe 28 nud to open communication from pipe 28 to un atmospheric exhaust port 32. F luid under pressure is then vented from the vulve piston 29 and also from the pieton lt und when the pressure on the valve piston 29 has heen reduced to ii predetermined degree.r the vulve piston Will he moved 'lioin its upper Sent. Communication is 'then t lil hed trom piston 1G nud the under eide of telve piston 29 through passage 33 to u large exhaust port 34h so thut a quick dirichurge et iluid from the pieton 16 is effected.

A quick movement oi the piston 16 hy Spring 19 thus produced. So that the switch drum segments are moved to cut-out poeitiou with :i quick Snap.

In the operation of shitting the switch drinn to its cut-outposition, the contact iingere 10 and ll separate from the Contact segment 8 While the Contact linger l2 remains in contact With the Segment 9. due to the contact eegn'ient 9 heine; more extended than the segmentl 8. Consequenth! the linul openii'ug et the circuit is et the contact inger l2. It heavy arc muy 'form et this Contact ingi'ei.' when separation tziles place, hut since the nrc is concentrated at i single contact Finger7 the ero muy loe readily blown out by menne of the uSunl ure blowout mechanism.

T T. i v i s i 1 n Y L iniving; non t eseiibec my invention, uhm I claim ne new und desire to secure hy Letrlhe combination with en elect ric switch mechanism and si piston operated by fluid under pressure for actuating;` Suid inecheinem, oi ii. vulve piston operated upon n n increase in Huid preesiure thereon Ytor openiue;

coinn'uinicution through which :duid supplied to said piston und upon n, ig'educti in pressure thereon tor oi'ienini; :i eonunuif r:tion through which fluid under pressure if; vented from said piston.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto Sel my hand. l

oLYDn o. FARMER. 

